Technology category, Page 11
Scammers are swiping billions from Americans every year. Worse, most crooks are getting away with it
Sophisticated overseas criminals are stealing tens of billions of dollars from Americans every year, a crime wave projected to get worse as the U.S. population ages and technology like AI makes it easier than ever to perpetrate fraud and get away with it. Internet and telephone scams have grown “exponentially,”...
Confused by all the TikTok trends? This glossary might help
Anyone who shops or uses the internet probably has encountered a TikTok trend — whether they know it or not. Since the social media platform made its U.S. debut almost six years ago, short videos posted there have created a rapidly changing menu of food and fashion fads. Many of...
As AI gains a workplace foothold, states try to make sure workers don’t get left behind
HARTFORD, Conn. — With many jobs expected to eventually rely on generative artificial intelligence, states are trying to help workers beef up their tech skills before they become outdated and get outfoxed by machines that are becoming increasingly smarter. Connecticut is working to create what proponents believe will be the...
Ever feel exhausted by swiping through dating apps? You might be experiencing burnout
NEW YORK — While plenty of happy couples can trace their meet-cute moment to an online dating app, many others find the never-ending process of likes, swipes, taps and awkward DMs that go nowhere to be exhausting — leading to a phenomenon known as “dating app burnout.” That was the...
Free speech and digital rights groups argue TikTok law would infringe on 1st Amendment
A group of nonprofits argued in a legal filing that the federal law requiring TikTok’s parent company to sell the platform, or face a ban, is an unconstitutional measure that restricts speech and makes it impossible for users to associate on the app. The legal brief, submitted late Wednesday to...
Amazon to remove plastic air pillows from packaging
Amazon announced its intention to remove all plastic air pillows in its packages by the end of the year. Pat Lindner, vice president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging, said most — if not all — packages ordered and delivered on Prime Day in July will be packed with paper filler...
A stroll down ‘AI Avenue’: Pittsburgh’s new tech hub
Startup tech company Netail is working to develop an AI technology called Profitmind to help with quicker and more detailed retail sales analytics. Pearl Street Technologies is working to better the power grid to help reduce backlog and expedite the transition to decarbonization. Strategy Robot is developing AI products to...
TikTok accuses federal agency of ‘political demagoguery’ in legal challenge against potential U.S. ban
TikTok disclosed a letter Thursday that accused the Biden administration of engaging in “political demagoguery” during high-stakes negotiations between the government and the company as it sought to relieve concerns about its presence in the United States. The letter — sent to David Newman, a top official in the Justice...
Apple kills off its buy now, pay later service barely a year after launch
NEW YORK — Apple is discontinuing its buy now, pay later service known as Apple Pay Later barely a year after its initial launch in the U.S., and will rely on companies who already dominate the industry like Affirm and Klarna. It’s an acknowledgement from a company known for producing...
Microsoft delays controversial AI Recall feature on new Windows computers
REDMOND, Wash. — New laptops equipped with Microsoft Windows start shipping to customers next week without a flagship feature called Recall that drew concerns about privacy and cybersecurity. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella touted the new Recall feature at a showcase event last month, describing it as a step toward artificial...
Use a roaming eSIM on your summer travels to avoid cellphone data fees
LONDON — For summer trips overseas, a smartphone is essential for most people. How else will you check Google Maps to find your Airbnb, post an Instagram video from the Eiffel Tower, or WhatsApp friends and family back home? Of course, if you’re using apps that gobble up data while...
Faking an honest woman: Why Russia, China and Big Tech all use faux females to get clicks
WASHINGTON — When disinformation researcher Wen-Ping Liu looked into China’s efforts to influence Taiwan’s recent election using fake social media accounts, something unusual stood out about the most successful profiles. They were female, or at least that’s what they appeared to be. Fake profiles that claimed to be women got...
TribLive app: How to get the most out of your experience
The TribLive app offers the latest news, weather and sports from throughout Western Pennsylvania, but it also allows users to personalize their experience. Upon installing the free app, users will receive a prompt to subscribe to news alerts directly on their phones. You can select “All” or pick from 18...
Chrysler recalls more than 211,000 SUVs and pickup trucks due to software malfunction
Stellantis-owned Chrysler is recalling more than 211,000 SUVs and pickup trucks in the U.S., due to a software malfunction that could disable the cars’ electronic stability control systems. The recall covers certain model year 2022 Dodge Durango, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles. According to documents published by the National...
Kentucky Democratic governor pushes back against Trump-led attacks on electric vehicles
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Electric vehicles have built up enough momentum from job growth and investments to steer past any roadblocks from Donald Trump and other critics, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday. The Democratic governor said the thousands of EV-related jobs springing up across the country, including in rural GOP...
Climate solution: Massachusetts town experiments with community heating and cooling
Jennifer and Eric Mauchan live in a Cape Cod-style house in Framingham, Massachusetts that they’ve been cooling with five air conditioners. In the summer, the electric bill for the 2,600-square-foot home can be $200. In the winter, heating with natural gas is often more than $300 a month, even with...
YouTube toughens policy on gun videos and youth
WASHINGTON — YouTube is changing its policies about firearm videos in an effort to keep potentially dangerous content from reaching underage users. The video sharing platform owned by Google said Wednesday it will prohibit any videos demonstrating how to remove firearm safety devices. In addition, videos showing homemade guns, automatic...
AI companies pledge to develop tech safely at AI summit, countries agree on safety institutes
SEOUL, South Korea — Leading artificial intelligence companies made a fresh pledge at a mini-summit Tuesday to develop AI safely, while world leaders agreed to build a network of publicly backed safety institutes to advance research and testing of the technology. Google, Meta and OpenAI were among the companies that...
Former OpenAI leader: Safety has ‘taken a backseat’ at the AI company
A former OpenAI leader who resigned from the company this week said Friday that safety has “taken a backseat to shiny products” at the influential artificial intelligence company. Jan Leike, who ran OpenAI’s “Super Alignment” team alongside a company co-founder who also resigned this week, wrote in a series of...
Billionaire Frank McCourt says he’s putting together a consortium to buy TikTok
Billionaire businessman and real estate mogul Frank McCourt said he’s putting together a consortium to purchase TikTok’s U.S. business, adding to the number of investors hoping to benefit from a new federal law that requires TikTok’s China-based parent company to sell the popular platform or face a ban. The announcement,...
Google’s unleashes AI in search, raising hopes for better results and fears about less web traffic
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google on Tuesday rolled out a retooled search engine that will frequently favor responses crafted by artificial intelligence over website links, a shift promising to quicken the quest for information while also potentially disrupting the flow of money-making internet traffic. The makeover announced at Google’s annual...
Lawmakers issue ultimatum to tech platforms over data privacy
WASHINGTON — For years Congress has held dozens of hearings aiming to enact laws on data privacy and kids’ online safety, and to curb the freewheeling collection and sale of Americans’ data without enacting any substantial legislation. The frustration is showing. Two House lawmakers, who direct blame squarely at tech...
Technology crushing human creativity? Apple’s new iPad ad has struck a nerve onlineVideo
NEW YORK — A newly released ad promoting Apple’s new iPad Pro has struck quite a nerve online. The ad, which was released by the tech giant Tuesday, shows a hydraulic press crushing just about every creative instrument artists and consumers have used over the years — from a piano...
TikTok to start labeling AI-generated content as technology becomes more universal
TikTok will begin labeling content created using artificial intelligence when it’s been uploaded from outside its own platform in an attempt to combat misinformation. “AI enables incredible creative opportunities, but can confuse or mislead viewers if they don’t know content was AI-generated,” the company said in a prepared statement Thursday....
Apple’s biggest announcements from its iPad event: brighter screen, faster chips and the Pencil ProVideo
CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple on Tuesday unveiled its next generation of iPad Pros and Airs — models that will boast faster processors, new sizes and a new display system as part of the company’s first update to its tablet lineup in more than a year. The showcase at Apple’s headquarters...
